IdeaX : A toolkit develop for innovation and problem solving since 2021
The IdeaX Toolkit was developed by the SMU-X team in response to recurring challenges observed across multiple SMU-X classes and project presentations. Drawing from firsthand insights and classroom experience, the toolkit was designed to better support students throughout their project journey – from ideation to execution – by addressing common pain points and guiding them towards more effective and impactful outcomes. The toolkit comes in a deck of five coloured coded cards, addressing the concept of Themes, Disciplinary Knowledge, Analysis & Solution Frameworks, Problem-solving Road Map and Desired Learning Outcomes.
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    SMU-XO students with their mentors and senior management of VinaCapital
    The picture was taken after the students' presentations to the mentors and senior management of VinaCapital in Ho Chi Minh City. VinaCapital, one of Vietnam’s leading investment management companies, sponsored the SMU-X Overseas (SMU-XO) project of ECON248 Overseas Project Experience (Macroeconomics in Asia). (Front row from left): Mr. Andy Ho, CIO of VinaCapital; Ms. Que Hoang-Phuong Vu, Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Economics, SMU; Mr. Derek Chiang, Senior Development Partner of SMU-X; and Mr. Brook Taylor, CEO of Asset Management and Executive Director at VinaCapital. Through projects, students gained first-hand experience in the fast-paced buy-side analyst role, identifying high-alpha projects to benefit various VinaCapital funds. They also deepened their knowledge of modern and sophisticated financial products such as SPACs and digital assets, understanding how these products have different characteristics under various macroeconomic and financial market conditions, especially in developing countries. As final deliverables to VinaCapital, students evaluated investment projects from different stakeholders’ perspectives and provided recommendations. They gained insights into the investment process and learned how to leverage market fluctuations to identify asset classes that could deliver positive investment returns. They also had the opportunity to interact with faculty and students at the Vietnam National University, network with aspiring start-up founders and SMU alumni based in Ho Chi Minh City. They also managed to squeeze in some time to soak in the sights and sounds of the city, and visit cultural sites like the Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong River.
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      Launch of Sustainable Futures Track in the 2023 SMU Global Summer Programme
      A new Sustainable Futures track was launched on the 8th edition of the Global Summer Programme in 2023. With the new track, students now had the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage, economic dynamism and diverse social landscapes of multifaceted Asia; underpinned by the crucial elements of sustainable development and protecting the environment. At the event in SMU Mochtar Riady Auditorium to open the annual programme are (from left) Ms Bay Hwee Eng (Assistant Director, GEO) ; Ms Zealyn Heng Shi Lin (Manager and Personal Assistant, Academic Services and Operations) ; Dr Navin Rajagobal (Senior Director of Academic Services and Operations) ; Guest of Honour Professor Tommy Koh ; Professor Timothy Clark (SMU Provost), Mr Rick Tay (Head, Centre for Global Education and Opportunities).
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        T-Junction at SMU Concourse bustling with energy as crowds of students thronged the Global Education Fair 2026
        Held on 28 January 2026 at the University’s basement concourse, SMU’s annual Study Abroad Fair was rebranded as the Global Education Fair (GE Fair). Among the Fair’s most anticipated highlights was the University’s International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP). Managed by the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), ISEP partners with over 230 universities across 46 countries, offering students the opportunity to study at leading institutions worldwide while immersing themselves in diverse cultural and academic environments. With representatives from more than 30 partner universities in attendance, the Fair drew strong participation from across the SMU community. The T-Junction was abuzz with activity as students engaged in lively conversations with university representatives, collected information materials, and explored pathways for their global journeys.
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          Industry partner offering grooming tips and product samples to students at the 2025 Careers Day
          Engaging students beyond the classroom, SMU Careers Day brought employability to life through hands-on experiences and industry partnerships. Organised annually by the Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) , the event showcases the Centre’s commitment to career coaching, employability training and job opportunities support. At the September 2025 Careers Day, event partner Metro Group complemented the learning experience by offering complimentary personal grooming tips and product samples, highlighting the importance of professional presence and self-confidence in the workplace. The interactive session as shown in the photo drew strong student participation, reinforcing the Career Centre’s mission to equip students with practical skills for career readiness.
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            An interactive booth inviting students to spot resume mistakes a the 2025 SMU Careers Day
            SMU Careers Day is a student-centric initiative designed to support undergraduates in their internship and job search journey. The 2025 event is held at the T-junction. With no employers present, the event adopts a exploratory format focused on skills-building and self-review. The photo featured a booth manned by by SMU Career Champions, inviting students to identify five common mistakes in a sample résumé and propose improvements—an interactive exercise that encourages critical reflection on employability skills, with a small gift offered as a token of participation. This activity forms part of a wider series of interactive Careers Day booths, alongside Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions with career coaches, information on overseas internship opportunities, CliftonStrengths Top 5 profiling, and Brands Bingo.
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              Representatives from Korea University engaging students at the Global Education Fair 2026
              The photo shows representatives from Korea University engaging with students at the Global Education Fair, held in January 2026 at SMU’s basement concourse. The Asia Pavilion—a curated cluster spotlighting partner universities from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand—attracted large numbers of students and highlighted the growing interest in regional opportunities. This focus reflects SMU’s commitment to deepening engagement within Asia. Through these programmes, students gain exposure to Asia’s diverse cultures and socioeconomic landscapes, building region specific knowledge and cross-cultural competencies that are highly valued by employers both locally and globally.
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                Students with representatives from Kyushu University at the Asia Pavilion of the Global Education Fair 2026
                Held on 28 January 2026 at the University’s basement concourse, SMU’s annual Study Abroad Fair was rebranded as the Global Education Fair (GE Fair), reflecting the Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO) commitment to shaping globally agile, Asia-ready graduates with real world experience. Beyond semester long exchanges, GEO offers a diverse suite of flexible global programmes that support students’ academic, professional, and experiential learning goals. These include Short-Term Study Programmes (SSP), which provide structured overseas exposure in credit-bearing and non-credit formats, as well as international work opportunities such as the ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP), AIP+, and the Global Innovation Immersion (GII) Programme. Complementing these are SMU-X overseas project experiences and Overseas Study Missions, which integrate classroom learning with real world projects and industry focused study trips, enabling students to gain global and regional perspectives through immersive learning experiences. The photo features students engaging with representatives from Kyushu University, a new participating institution, at the Asia Pavilion—a curated cluster spotlighting partner universities from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.
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                  Career coaches engaging students in one-to-one or small group conversation at the 2025 Careers Day
                  The photo featured career coaches from the Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) engaging students in focused, one‑to‑one or small group consultations. Personalised career guidance was a key feature of the September 2025 SMU Careers Day held at the concourse T-junction. Through these professional coaching conversations, students received tailored advice on career planning, skills development and navigating the employment landscape. Such interactions reflect the Career Centre’s ongoing commitment to providing structured and practical support that empowers SMU students to make informed career decisions and enhance their career readiness.
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                    Students in the inaugural run of SMU Asia Global Exposure programme at University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City
                    SMU students with local students from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam, during the inaugural run of the SMU Asia Global Exposure (SAGE) programme in 2024. The photo was taken in a UEH campus classroom during their first lesson. SAGE is a series of short-term immersion programmes comprising classes hosted by local universities, cultural immersion activities and company visits in Southeast Asia countries. The initiative aims to broaden students’ understanding of regional economies and diverse cultures.
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                      The first IdeaX Innovation and Problem-Solving Workshop in 2021
                      Mr. Derek Chiang, Senior Development Partner of SMU-X, is featured as one of the instructors for the first workshop that utilized the IdeaX Toolkit in 2021. The workshop aims to equip students with the skills needed to support their SMU-X project journey, from ideation to execution.
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                        Group discussion using the deck of cards from the IdeaX Toolkit
                        Students in a group discussion using the deck of cards from the IdeaX Toolkit to build their project road map. SMU-X hosted its inaugural IdeaX workshop – an innovation and problem-solving session for students on how to better approach their SMU-X projects in February 2021. The IdeaX toolkit is designed to guide students in their project challenges, where the deck of cards are used to facilitate conversations, ideate solutions and evaluate ideas. IdeaX can also be used beyond the classroom by organisations seeking opportunities to make meaningful impact.
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                          SMU-XO students on a boat cruise along the Mekong River, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
                          As part of the SMU-X Overseas (SMU-XO) programme for ECON248 Overseas Project Experience (Macroeconomics in Asia), the students engaged in a recreational activity by taking a boat cruise along the Mekong River before heading to one of the local villages for a cultural exchange.
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                            Students in the 2024 cohort of the SMU-XO Applied Psychology in Asia course in Tainan, Taiwan
                            Students posing under an old world map in the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan, Taiwan as part of the cultural tour under SMU-XO course PSYC308 Applied Psychology in Asia. The group is led by Professor Cheng Chi-Ying (left in photo) from the School of Social Sciences. This course delves into advanced theoretical and empirical studies on the psychological relationship between culture and creativity/innovation, among other relevant topics. Students gained practical cross-cultural collaboration experience by working with their Taiwanese counterparts, including students and faculty members from the Institute of Creative Industries Design at National Cheng Kung University, as well as a business client.
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                              SMU students with their friends from Universitas Gadjah Mada took a group photo at a tea plantation in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
                              Students from the SMU-XO course "Millennial Talent Management – Recruitment and Engagement" and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) visited the PT Pagilaran plantation in Yogyakarta to collaborate on developing new solutions for recruiting and retaining millennial employees. The students taught by academics from both SMU and UGM, engaged with tea farmers and factory employees to gather insights for their proposed solutions. PT Pagilaran, a subsidiary of UGM specializing in tea and cocoa exports, provided an experiential learning setting for the students. The innovative pedagogy was lauded at the fourth PIEoneer Awards in 2020, a global award that celebrate innovation and achievement across the whole of the international education industry.
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